Then again, it has been quite a while since Bungie, to keep the subject straight, disclosed the truth. The Dawning event, for the second time, returned in the case of Destiny 2. Wondering what this whole event is about? Well, the Dawning is Bungie’s way of celebrating Christmas with Destiny, and that is why it runs from December 16 to January 5, allowing everyone to participate for free. You are already aware of the steps to be taken, like throwing an avalanche of snowballs and baking an infinite number of cookies for every vendor inhabiting the solar system, plus like a Christmas tree, exchanging gifts. As an option, you can either start talking to Eva Levante in the Tower or simply tap the Event icon in the Director to enter the cycle. These are all traditional holiday activities.

However, the community reaction was surprisingly opposite—a very cold, non-fuzzy holiday moment. To be honest, it was like the scenario of getting coal for Christmas after unwrapping a present. What is more, the coal is extremely irritating, and it has to do with the game.

The big one from the players’ side has nothing to do with snowball fights in PvP (that some are sure to be enjoying, again). No, not at all. It’s all about Bright Dust. Or more accurately, its non-existence. The Dawning was for many years the period when players could easily farm Bright Dust, the in-game currency allowing to purchase skins without spending real cash, the best time to farm. You baked cookies, turned them into bounties to Eva and in a way you would be accumulating Dust. It was a boring process but very satisfying one.

This year? Nothing at all. They have gone, disappeared as if the invisible man took them away. Players are furious.

Take a look at the replies under the tweet announcing it. They are full of complaints. Player ‘Michelle 🇨🇦’ (@mdmthibeau) called it a “huge GRINCH act” indicating that they have lost all the excitement for the event because they were always making cookies for getting Bright Dust. ‘L. Joker’ (@Lionel_der_Boss) was direct: “No bright dust bounties. You really hate all remaining players from the bottom of your heart.” Ouch. Another one, ‘Rajang, the punching Ape’ (@RajangThegolden), pointed out that the weekly 450 which is available now is “not even close to” the old amounts. This sounds a bit like echoing the same point—the main reason for a lot of players to log in during the event has been taken away.

And it’s not just the Dust that has caused such a problem. There are complaints about other issues instead. Player ‘Miles’ (@Hasbeenmiles) is asking about the old Dawning weapons, claiming where they are and emphasizing that they have not been detected in any database or streamed. So, the loot pool might be narrowed? Others just can’t stand the never-ending cookie-baking cycle. ‘StevenWright02’ admitted that the new Snowball PvP mode is “kinda good,” but added, “Don’t care about the whole baking cookies anymore tho.” That sentiment was also shared by ‘TheNewZoo’ who vented non-stop about being compelled into a “PvP snowball mode that the hit boxes are all freaking messed up” and, for that, going as far as accusing people of cheating in it. There is clearly no consensus on the mode.

On the other hand, even when the whining is at the highest, there are still a few positive notes that should not be neglected. Some players are really into the new snowball fight mode. ‘Join the society’ (@Fsociety511) stated, “The new snowball pvp mode is really fun.” So it’s not a total loss situation after all! Moreover, the visuals are always stunning. ‘Snapshot’ (@autosnapshot) was quite elated about what looks like the aurora borealis in the sky. The Bungie art team is always stellar, even when the economy-related decisions are… suspect.

But the overall mood? It is frosty, and not at all in a good, snowy way. It seems that Bungie has taken away a big part of the in-game rewards without giving anything of equal value in return. For a seasonal event that is all about celebration and giving, having a massive source of free currency removed is almost equivalent to a major setback. Players wonder why this is happening just like ‘RailgunGecko’ (@WryGuy5) did, and the silence is their only response.

It’s really a complicated issue, indeed. The event is there. The decorations are up, Eva is back with her baking, and you can throw snowballs at your friends (or foes). But the committed crowd that organizes their gaming on PlayStation and Xbox platforms feels the loss most acutely.